1. Social Stratification in Contemporary Societies: Class, Caste and Race
Chapter 13
Social Stratification in Contemporary Societies: Class, Caste and Race

2. Chapter Questions & key points
How do anthropologists explain social stratification?
What are some differences among class-, caste- , and racially stratified societies?
Degree to which individuals have equal access to wealth, power & prestige.
Basis:
Physical appearance, ethnicity, profession, family background, gender, ideology, age or skill in economic/political roles.

3. Chapter Questions
What are some characteristics of the social stratification system in the United States, and how does it affect the lives and lifestyles of individuals and groups?
How has anthropology contributed to antiracism in the United States?
What are some similarities and differences between the racial stratification systems of Brazil and the United States?

4. Dimensions of Social Inequality (stratification)
Power—control resources in one’s own interest.
Wealth—accumulation of material resources or access to production.
Prestige—social honor or respect.

5. Status & Types of Societies
Ascribed Status
Achieved Status
Types of societies:
Egalitarian
Rank societies
Stratified
Class
Caste

6. Social Class in the United States
Status depends on occupation, education, and lifestyle.
“The American Dream,” democratic principle of equality and opportunity for all.
Social class in the United States.
Homeless people
Welfare recipients
Money “whitens”

7. Caste System System of stratification based on birth.
Movement from one caste to another is not possible.
Castes are hereditary, endogamous, ranked in relation to one another and usually associated with a traditional occupation.

8. Hindu Caste System Four caste categories
Brahmins - priests and scholars
Kshatriyas - ruling and warrior caste
Vaisyas - the merchants
Shudras - menial workers and artisans
Harijans – “untouchables”

9. U.S. Racial Stratification Systems
Race- social construction & biological fallacy.
Divides people into “blacks” and “whites”
Theories of stratification
Social inequality- a human universal?
Rule of Hypo descent.
“Melting pot” & Anglo Conformity
Separatism or Pluralism (Multiculturalism)
By year % Latinos
Immigration issues

10. Race Stratification in the U.S. and Brazil
Two largest multiracial societies in the Americas.
Legacy of slavery =racial inequality.
Brazil: 45% of nonwhite families and 25% of white families live below the poverty line.
U.S.: 30% of nonwhite families and 8% of white families live below the poverty line.